Collapsible gun cleaning rod

ABSTRACT

A collapsible gun cleaning rod including a plurality of elongated, tubular sections which fit together to form a rod having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the tubular section defining the proximal end portion being in screw engagement with the adjacent elongated tubular section, a biasing spring disposed within the proximal end portion, an inextensible strand fixed in the proximal end portion and extending through the plurality of elongated, tubular sections and fixed to the distal end portion, whereby, when either the proximal end portion or the tubular section adjacent thereto is rotated relative to each other, the gun cleaning rod is lengthened against the bias of the spring, causing the plurality of tubular elongated sections to fit together in the rigid manner relative to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 2004-0156549-42 filed on Apr.16, 2004, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved collapsible gun cleaningrod and more particularly to a collapsible gun cleaning rod formed ofseveral tubular sections which can be folded into a collapsible statefor convenient storage.

Various types of collapsible gun cleaning rods are known in the art.Generally, it is desirable or absolutely necessary to clean a gun barrelin a field camp, although a sportsman's firearm is typically cleaned athome. Usually, if a gun barrel bore becomes clogged with mud or snowwhile a sportsman is hunting, the hunter must remove the obstructionfrom the gun bore for his own safety. The firearm industry has longsought easy to carry, emergency cleaning rods for field cleaningfirearms under adverse conditions. Conventional gun cleaning rodscontain several tubular sections a tension cable disposed within thesections, a handle, and a cleaning brush. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,775,021 to Weiss discloses several tubular sections that can be foldedtogether to form a compact package for storage. Running through thetubular sections is a tension cable provided with an enlargementabutting a shoulder disposed in the tubular element at the proximal endof the cleaning rod (FIG. 4A) and an enlargement abutting a shoulder inthe distal tubular section (FIG. 4B). As best shown in FIG. 4A, thetubular element is threaded into a tubular handle whereby the effectivelength of the assembly of elements can be lengthened or shortened toapply tension to, or relax tension on, the cable. In an alternativeembodiment shown in FIG. 5, tension is applied to cable by a compressionspring disposed within the tubular handle.

Korean Utility Model Patent 20-152,599 discloses a stick for cleaningthe muzzle of a gun which includes several tubular sections, a tensioncable extending through the sections, and a handle screwed to theproximal end of the stick. U.S. Pat. No. 2,070,844 to Riley discloses acleaning rod for firearms, in which a threaded tubular element in FIGS.1, 2 and 6 at the proximal end of the cleaning rod is used to apply andrelax tension in flexible connector. U.S. Pat. No. 1,348,145 to Ardendiscloses a collapsible gun cleaning rod employing a pivoted lever 32 inthe handle for applying and relaxing tension on a flexible connector.The tension on the flexible connector is limited by a compression springin a casing that houses the proximal end of the flexible connector.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,950 to Hertzberg and U.S. Pat. No. 6,1245,235 toEmerson et al. disclose a rod for use in the barrel of a gun. Each ofthe rods has a pivoted handle that can be positioned to form a “T” withthe rod or stowed against the side of the rod. U.S. Pat. No. 2,379,577to Harsted, U.S. Pat. No. 2,705,015 to Langlais, U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,133to Hyman, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,037 to Clark disclose additionalexamples of rods or poles formed of tubular sections which contain astrand connector extending through the sections.

However, when such conventional gun cleaning rods are used for a longtime, the tension cable tends to stretch, the screw threads become worn,and the handle does not freely move. Also, such conventional guncleaning rods do not disclose effective mechanisms for applying andrelaxing the tension in the strand connector and for freely rotating thetubular sections while a user is cleaning a gun barrel bore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved collapsible gun cleaning rod which eliminates the aboveproblems encountered with conventional gun cleaning rods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible guncleaning rod formed of several sections that can be folded in acollapsed state for convenient storage such as packing storage disposedon a gun stock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gun cleaningrod having several tubular sections with ends that fit into the end ofan adjacent section. Mounted by threads to the distal end section is ashort rod with a mechanism for holding a cleaning patch. The proximalend section is formed of two tubular elements that are coupled togetherby threads. The first of these tubular elements supports a tubularhandle which moves relative to the tubular element between a foldedposition aligned with the tubular element and an extended position inwhich it forms a “T” with the tubular element and serves as a handle forthe cleaning rod. The second of the tubular parts includes a distal endthat fits into the end of the succeeding tubular section. Aninextensible strand connector extends through the tubular sections withone end of the strand fastened to the distal end section. The proximalend of the cleaning rod is provided with an enlarged section disposedwithin the first tubular part of the proximal end section. The enlargedelement engages a compression spring seated on a shoulder in the firsttubular element. When the first tubular element is turned in a directionto extend the second tubular element, the spring applies tension to thestrand so that when the tubular sections are fitted together, thecleaning rod is made rigid. When the first tubular element is turned ina direction to retract the second tubular element, the tension on thestrand is relaxed so that the tubular sections can be separated andfolded together into a collapsed, compact package.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide acollapsible gun cleaning rod which is simple in structure, inexpensiveto manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the presentinvention will become apparent from the detailed description givenhereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detaileddescription and specific examples, while indicating preferredembodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only,since various changes and modification within the spirit and scope ofthe invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible gun cleaning rod accordingto the present invention in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible gun cleaning rodaccording to the present invention in a partially collapsedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible gun cleaning rodaccording to the present invention in a folded configuration forstorage;

FIG. 4 is a partial and enlarged side cross-sectional view showing afirst tubular elongated section and a tubular elongated support of thecollapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial and enlarged side cross-sectional view showing thefirst tubular elongated section and the tubular elongated support of thecollapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention in apressed spring configuration;

FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged and explored side cross-sectional viewshowing the first tubular elongated section and the tubular elongatedsupport of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial and enlarged side cross-sectional views of thefirst tubular elongated section and the tubular elongated support with acylindrical rotor of the collapsible gun cleaning rod according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a handle of thecollapsible gun cleaning rod according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing the improved collapsible guncleaning rod of the present invention, generally indicated by referencenumeral 1, and shown in its assembled position. The collapsible guncleaning rod 1 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, comprises a plurality oftubular elongated sections 10, 20, 30 and 40, a distal end elongatedsegment 50, a tubular elongated support 60 and a handle 70.

The plurality of tubular elongated sections contains ends which fit intothe end of an adjacent section. As shown in FIG. 2, screw threads 51 areprovided on the endmost elongated segment 50 for engaging with theadjacent section in forming the distal end of the cleaning rod. Segment50 contains an end portion 52 for holding a cleaning patch (not shown).The proximal end section is formed of the first tubular elongatedsection 10 and the tubular elongated support 60 which are coupledtogether by supporting threads 11.

The tubular elongated support 60 carries a hollow tubular element 61that is pivoted for movement relative to the tubular part between afolded position aligned with the tubular part and an extended endposition in which it forms a “T” with the tubular part, and serves as ahandle 70 for the cleaning rod. The first tubular elongated section 10includes the endmost elongated segment 50 that fits into the end of thesucceeding tubular section such as the fourth section 40 through athreaded segment 51.

An extensible strand connector 2 such as a stainless steel cable extendsthrough the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 and is fastened at one end to thedistal end section 40 and at the other end to the tubular elongatedsupport 60 which is provided with a spring 65 (FIG. 5) disposed therein.

The compression spring 65 is seated on a shoulder in the tubularelongated support 60. When the tubular elongated support 60 is turned ina direction to retract the first tubular elongated section 10, thetension on the strand connector 2 is relaxed, whereby the tubularsections 10, 20, 30 and 40 can be separated and folded together into acollapsed compact package (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the tabular elongated support 60 includesthe hollow tubular element 61 disposed on the inside thereof. The hollowtubular element 61 contains a raised portion 64, an inner thread 62disposed on the inside thereof and a tubular narrow end portion 63 (FIG.6). The tubular elongated support 60 further includes a stopping ring 67disposed at the lower end thereof, and a groove 68 disposed between thering 67 and the lower end of the tubular elongated support 60 (FIG. 5).

The first tubular elongated section 10 includes an external supportthread 11 for securely fastening section 10 with the internal thread 62of the tubular elongated support 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the firsttubular elongated section 10 further includes an enlarged portion 12disposed at one end thereof for firmly fitting into the hollow tubularelement 61 of the tubular elongated support 60 when the tubularelongated section 10 engages with the tubular elongated support 60.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 4 and 5, the spring 65 is disposed withinthe hollow tubular element 61 of the tubular elongated support 60. Atthis time, the spring 65 is restricted by the raised portion 64 in thehollow tubular element 61.

The inextensible strand connector 2 extends through the first, second,third and fourth sections 10, 20, 30 and 40, and is connected to a rotor66. When the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40 are assembled together with thetubular elongated support 60, the rotor 66 compresses the spring 65against its bias, as shown in FIG. 5. The rotor 66 can be, for example,a rotating solid ball or a cylindrical element 66′ (FIGS. 7 and 8).Also, a washer and a bearing can be used instead of the rotor 66 or thecylindrical rotor 66′.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, the handle 70 for thegun cleaning rod includes a slot 71 disposed at one end thereof and apair of elastic arms 72 disposed on both sides of the slot 71. The widthof the opening slot 71 is wider than the diameter of the groove 68 andis a little smaller than the diameter of the hollow tubular element ofthe tubular elongated support 60 and the diameter of the stopping ring67. Both elastic arms 72 have a pair of small inwardly extendingstoppers 73 and 74. Therefore, the pair of elastic arms 72 defining theopening slot 71 of the handle 70 are slidingly engaged within the groove68 and disposed between the elastic arms 72 and the end of the lower endof the tubular elongated support 60 for slidingly moving the elasticring 67 within the opening slot 71 in the up and down direction when thecollapsible gun cleaning rod 1 is assembled and folded.

As shown in FIG. 2, each tubular section 80 of the tubular elongatedsections 10, 20, 30 and 40 is firmly and smoothly inserted into eachhole of an adjacent elongated section when the collapsible gun cleaningrod 1 of the present invention is assembled. At this time, if necessary,the tubular section 80 can be a separate element which is first inserteda distance into an elongated section, for example section 40 where it isfused to the inside of the section. The part that extends from the endof section 40 can then be inserted into the adjacent tubular section. Asshown in FIG. 6, the enlarged portion 12 of the external thread 11 canbe enlarged by conventional pressing methods.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 2 and 3, the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1according to the present invention is assembled by a user as follows.After the user grasps the folded collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 (FIG.3), it is held to hang down vertically, and the elongated sections 10,20, 30 and 40 are assembled together by inserting section 80 into thehole 81 of the adjacent tubular section as shown in FIG. 1.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the external thread 11 of the firsttubular elongated section 10 stays at the entrance of the internalthread 62 of the tubular, narrow end portion 63. When the user rotatesthe first tubular elongated section 10 or the tubular elongated support60, the thread engagement starts and finally the enlarged portion 12 ofthe first section 10 reaches the entrance of the internal thread 62, sothat both threads 11 and 62 are engaged tightly together (FIG. 5).

Referring to FIG. 5, as the external thread 11 of the first tubularelongated section 10 is engaged with the internal thread 62 of thetubular narrow end part 63, the strand connector 2 containing the rotor66 or cylindrical rotor 66′ is tightened to the extent that the threads11 and 62 are engaged with each other. Therefore, the strand connector 2compresses the spring 65 which is held in position by the raised portion64 of the tubular elongated support 60. That is, the spring 65 iscompressed against its normal bias.

Even though the spring 65 is in a compressed state, the tubular sections20, 30, and 40 can be rotated freely since the compressed spring 65,which is elastic, provides a degree of elasticity between the tubularportion. Also, the tubular elongated support 60 can be freely rotatedthrough the supporting ring 67 which is movably disposed in the pair ofelastic arms 72 of the handle 70. Therefore, the collapsible guncleaning rod 1 of the present invention can be used to effectively cleanthe gun bore because the sections 20, 30 and 40, and the support 60 withthe section 10 can be freely rotated to freely wipe the gun bore.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first tubular elongated section 10 isfirmly fixed to the internal thread 62 of the tubular elongated support60 through the enlarged portion 12 of the external thread 11. Therefore,when the user cleans the gun bore, the support 60 and the first section10 cannot be separated from each other even though the user pushes andpulls the cleaning rod 1.

Even though the inextensible strand connector 2 is stretched a littlebit by long term use, because the strand connector 2 is connected toelastic spring 65, the elasticity of the spring 65 can compensate forthe stretching of the strand connector 2. Therefore, the collapsible guncleaning rod 1 according to the present invention is durable.

Referring in detail to FIGS. 1 and 3, the collapsible gun cleaning rod 1according to the present invention is folded by a user as follows. Whenthe first tubular elongated section 10 is released by loosening theengaging threads 11 and 62 from each other, the sections 10, 20, 30 and40 separate from each other as shown in FIG. 2.

Thereafter, if the tubular elongated support 60 disposes within theopening slot 71 of the handle 70 is folded in the opening partdirection, the tubular support 60 engages the pair of elastic arms 72.At this time, if the user pushes the tubular support 60 into the pair ofelastic arms 72, the tubular support 60 is inserted into the openingslot 71 of the handle 70 as shown in FIG. 3. The folded gun cleaning rod1 can then be stored in a convenient location such as a compartmentprovided in the gun stock (not shown).

At this time, even though the tubular elongated support 60 is folded inthe opening slot 71 of the handle 70, the elongated support 60 can notbe separated from the opening slot 71 of the handle 70 due to thepresence of internal stoppers 73 and 74. On the contrary, when the guncleaning rod 1 is assembled, the stopping ring 67 is in contact withinternal stopper 73 and erects, upright, the tubular elongated support60 which extends from the pair of elastic arms 72, and the support 60,the sections 10, 20, 30 and 40, and the endmost elongated segment 50form a “T” shaped handle 70.

The collapsible gun cleaning rod 1 according to the present inventionhas a number of advantages, which includes improving the rotor 66 orcylindrical rotor 66′ attached to the end of inextensible strandconnector 2, providing the first elongated section 10 with the externalsupport thread 11 and an enlarged portion 12, utilizing a stopping ring67 and grooves 68 of the tubular elongated support 60 dispose within theopening slot 71 and providing a pair of elastic arms 72 and internalstoppers 73 and 74.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A collapsible gun cleaning rod which comprises: a plurality ofelongated, tubular sections which fit together to form a rod having aproximal end portion and a distal end portion, the tubular sectiondefining the proximal end portion being coupled by screw threads withthe adjacent elongated tubular section and constrained for movementrelative to the adjacent elongated tubular section by the screw threads,a spring seated within the proximal end portion, an inextensible strandhaving an end abutment disposed in the proximal end portion andconfronting the spring, the inextensible strand extending through thespring and the plurality of elongated, tubular sections and fixed to thedistal end portion, whereby, when either the proximal end portion or thetubular section adjacent thereto is rotated relative to each other, thegun cleaning rod is lengthened against the bias of the spring, causingthe plurality of tubular elongated sections to fit together in a rigidmanner relative to each other.
 2. The collapsible gun cleaning rod ofclaim 1, wherein a handle is pivotally attached to the proximal endportion of the gun cleaning rod forming a “T” configuration with respectthereto, said handle containing a slot which is adapted to substantiallyaccommodate a portion of the elongated tubular section defining theproximal end portion, whereby the handle can be rotated to align withand accommodate said portion of the proximal end portion.
 3. Thecollapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofelongated tubular sections contain male and female end portions whichfit together to define the gun cleaning rod.
 4. The collapsible guncleaning rod of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion is provided witha configuration for attaching a cleaning patch thereto.
 5. Thecollapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1 wherein the proximal end portionhas internal threads and the adjacent elongated tubular section hasexternal threads.
 6. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 5,wherein the end portion of said adjacent elongated tubular section isgradually enlarged to establish a tight engagement with the proximal endportion.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The collapsible gun cleaning rod of claim 1,wherein the rotation of the tubular sections defining the proximal endportion, simultaneously increases the tension and locks the tension inthe inextensible strand.